My name is Jeff, and I’m a very young 62 (as of Jan. 22, 2012). In November of 2008, I was having terrible night sweats and noticed a lump under my armpit. Turns out it was Stage IV melanoma that had spread to my lymph node and brain. I had brain surgery on Dec. 18, 2008.

Then I did 8 months of oral chemo (not bad at all, just fatigue) and was cancer free for 3 years until last week when they found a tumor on my bladder, which they removed thru a catheter. Turns out it is pre-Stage I bladder cancer. I have to go in for six weekly treatments of immunology through a catheter (that’s through the penis), then get checked every 3 months for the next 2 years. I’m 6 feet tall and about 195 lbs and in great shape. Just happy it wasn’t the melanoma coming back.

Remember, no matter how bad the prognosis, there’s always someone who beats it! It’s me, let it be you! Don’t ever believe them if they give you a certain number of months or years to live. The internet said I had 4 months! It means nothing, and they are usually wrong.

Also if you live in Los Angeles, please check out the Cancer Support Community! They have groups for patients, caregivers, and family. They also have all kinds of classes from art, photography, meditation, yoga, you name it, they have it, and it’s all FREE! They saved my sanity. It can be very tough going through this (I did it basically alone as I am single), and they helped me greatly.